Can you get unemployment after a contract job ends in Washington?

That's a relief! I was worried since it was temporary. Do I need any special documentation from the staffing agency?

Just make sure you have your pay stubs and any contract paperwork. Washington ESD will verify your wages directly with employers during the claim process.

How did you manage to get through? I've heard their phone lines are impossible.

I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual Washington ESD agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

There's a big difference between W-2 contract work and 1099 freelance work. If you're getting a W-2 and having taxes withheld, you're an employee for unemployment purposes.

Oh that makes sense! I didn't realize there was a difference. Thanks for clarifying.

Exactly right. 1099 contractors are self-employed and generally can't collect regular UI benefits. W-2 contract workers are employees and can file claims just like any other worker.

Good to know! What's the minimum you need to earn to qualify?

You need to have earned at least $3,924 in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) and have earnings in at least 2 quarters. Washington ESD will calculate this automatically when you file.

That's encouraging! Did you have any issues with the job search requirements?

nope, just had to log my job search activities each week. since i was already looking for my next contract it wasnt a big deal

My contract did have a set end date. Should I be worried about that?

Not necessarily worried, but be prepared to explain that the contract ended as scheduled and wasn't renewed. That's different from quitting. Keep any documentation about the contract terms.

This is where having good documentation helps. Contract end dates are normal and Washington ESD understands that temporary positions end.

This is exactly why I started using Claimyr. Instead of sitting on hold for hours, they connect you directly to Washington ESD agents. Game changer for getting real answers.

Really? How does that work? I'm getting tired of the runaround.

They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Check out their site at claimyr.com - much better than wasting your whole day on hold.

File as soon as possible! There's a waiting week anyway, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. You can file for the week your contract ended.

Definitely don't wait. I made that mistake once and it just delayed everything unnecessarily.

That's reassuring! I'm in marketing and wasn't sure how common it was.

Very common across industries. Just treat it like any other job ending - file your claim, do your job search, and collect benefits while looking for the next opportunity.

Good point! I don't think I'm getting any severance but I'll double check.

Yes, any lump sum payments need to be reported. Washington ESD will determine how it affects your weekly benefit amount and timing.

Thanks for the reassurance! I'm definitely actively looking already.

That's perfect. Keep track of your job search activities because you'll need to report them on your weekly claims.

Nope, doesn't matter. Job search is job search. Apply for whatever positions match your skills and experience, whether contract or permanent.

Exactly. Washington ESD cares that you're actively seeking work, not what type of work specifically.

How did you find out what was holding it up? Did you have to call them?

Yeah, I eventually got through to an agent who explained the delay. If you run into adjudication issues, definitely try to get someone on the phone to explain what's happening.

This is another situation where Claimyr really helps. When you're stuck in adjudication, talking to an actual person makes all the difference.

That's good to hear! I was worried they might be suspicious of the temporary nature.

Not at all. Contract and temporary work is super common these days. They're used to processing these types of claims.

Good advice! I'll gather everything before I file.

Smart approach. Having documentation ready speeds up the process if they need to verify anything.

Ha! Yeah, I've heard horror stories about trying to get through.

its brutal. spent 2 hours on hold yesterday just to ask about my payment date

Seriously, try Claimyr next time. I wish I'd known about it sooner. So much easier than the phone maze.

Thanks for the tip! I'll make sure to be detailed.

No problem. The more professional and thorough you are with your reporting, the less likely you are to have any issues.

That's awesome! How long did it take to get the determination?

About 5 business days. I filed on a Tuesday and got the letter the following Tuesday.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm definitely going to file today.

Good for you! No reason to leave money on the table while you're looking for your next opportunity.

Glad to hear it! You should receive your determination letter within a week or so.

Awesome! Keep us posted on how it goes.

Great news! And remember, if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim, Claimyr is there to help you get through quickly.

Thanks for the direct deposit tip! I hadn't thought about that but it makes total sense. I'll definitely set that up today while I'm thinking about it. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same process with a similar length contract. Did you have any issues with the job search requirements during your claim period?

Not really! The job search requirements were pretty manageable. You need to do 3 job search activities per week, and they're pretty flexible about what counts - applying to jobs, networking events, updating your LinkedIn, contacting recruiters, etc. Since I was already actively looking for my next contract, it wasn't hard to meet the requirements. Just keep good records of what you do each week because you'll report it when you file your weekly claims. The key is being genuine about your search efforts.

That's great that you're feeling more confident about filing! Since your contract just ended last Friday, definitely don't wait - file as soon as possible this week. The sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you can start the process. Marketing contracts are super common in Washington, so ESD is definitely familiar with processing these types of claims. Make sure you have all your pay stubs and contract documentation ready, and like others mentioned, set up direct deposit right away. You're in the same boat as many of us here - contract work with W-2s absolutely qualifies for unemployment benefits. Good luck with your claim and job search!

You're absolutely right to feel confident about filing! Marketing contracts through staffing agencies are incredibly common, and I've seen tons of people in similar situations get approved without any issues. Since you already started documenting your job search activities, you're ahead of the game - that's exactly what you'll need when you file your weekly claims. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have any emails or documentation about your contract ending, just in case they ask for clarification during the review process. But honestly, with W-2 employment and taxes being withheld, you should sail through the application process. Welcome to the club of contract workers navigating unemployment - we've all been there!

You should definitely file this week! I just went through this exact same process with a 6-month contract ending. One tip that really helped me - when you're filling out the initial application, be clear about your work arrangement (staffing agency, W-2 status, etc.) in the work history section. It helps avoid any potential confusion during processing. Also, since you're in marketing, make sure to include any freelance platforms or industry-specific job boards in your job search activities - ESD recognizes those as valid search efforts. The whole process was way less intimidating than I expected. You've got this!

You're in exactly the right situation to file! Marketing contracts through staffing agencies are textbook cases for UI eligibility in Washington. Since you have W-2s and tax withholdings, there shouldn't be any issues at all. I'd recommend filing today or tomorrow if possible - every day you wait is potentially delaying your benefits. Also, keep a simple spreadsheet of your job search activities (company name, position, date, type of activity) from the start. It makes filling out those weekly claims so much easier. The Washington ESD system actually handles contract worker claims really well once you get through the initial application. You're going to do great!

This is such valuable insight! I really appreciate you mentioning the multiple staffing agencies point - I actually did work for two different agencies during my base period and was wondering how to handle that. It's reassuring to know that the system pulls wage records automatically rather than relying on my manual calculations. I was definitely overthinking the documentation requirements. Your point about just focusing on accurately describing the most recent work and why it ended makes total sense. It sounds like Washington ESD really has adapted well to the gig economy and contract work trends. Thanks for adding that perspective!